Cape Breton 'Pork' Pies

9

4

Recipe by: poush

"The name of this recipe is a little misleading; there is no pork in these sweet treats! A crisp cookie tart shell, a sweet date filling, and maple icing make these tarts a unique and delicious Cape Breton treat! Use more or less icing on each tart, depending on how sweet you like them."

Directions

Prep

55 m

Cook

26 m

Ready In

1 h 31 m

Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Tart shells: Sift together flour and 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Cut in 1 cup butter; knead until well blended. Form dough into 3/4 inch balls. Press evenly into 1 1/2 inch tart cups on the bottom and up the sides to form a shell.

Bake in preheated oven until pale gold, about 16 minutes. Let shells cool in the pan. Gently loosen and remove them from pan using a knife.

Filling: Combine dates, water, brown sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; boil gently for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Mash dates with a fork as they cook. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Allow mixture to cool before spooning into tart shells.

Icing: Cream 1/4 cup butter in a small bowl with an electric mixer. Gradually add 1 cup of the sugar while continuing to mix. Add the milk, remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar, and maple extract. Beat at high speed until smooth. Icing should be thick enough to pipe. Spoon mixture into pastry bag with a small round or star-shaped tip. Pipe a swirl of icing on each tart.

Reviews 9

9 Ratings

sueb

12/23/2008

Delicios! I made the pastry by adding 6 oz. cream cheese. I cooked the dates with orange juice instead of water. The maple frosting adds a nice touch! I wonder if my ancestors had something like this due to our connection to Cape Breton, as found by word of mouth in genealogy?

folee

12/21/2008

These were absolutely fantastic. I took them to a work Christmas potluck, and everyone loved them. I was a little hesitant to bring them at first, because they look so odd, but everyone commented on how unique they were. They are a lot of work to make, but definitely worth it. Thanks!

maryi3boys

1/9/2009

When your not living in Cape Breton, every chance to eat something that is truely a Cape Breton Treat is a Treat. Thank you so very much for posting this recipe! Thank you to for bringing "CB" home! this Recipe is a perfect fit for my family. Thanks again